the basic data, concepts, theories, and modes of explanation appropriate
to the understanding of human societies;

the structure of modern American society, its social stratification, its
ethnic, racial, religious, and gender differentiation, and its main social
institutions - family, polity, economy, and religion;

the basic social processes that maintain and alter social structure, especially
the processes of integration, organization, and conflict; and

the diversity of human societies, including the differences between major
historical types such as foraging, agricultural, industrial, and post-industrial
societies.

F. Institutes or Labs That Utilize MaterialsInstitute of Behavioral Science
Women's Studies Program

G. Special Populations Outside University That Utilize MaterialsInterlibrary loan users / Public patrons, such as teachers, educators,
psychologists, parents, school Board Members, journalists, Justice Department
and social workers

H. Other ConsiderationsEnvironmental sociology is a new research area in the department. Because
our library hasn't created an environmental studies fund, books related to
this subject may be purchased by sociology fund and science fund, journalism
(because of the environmental journalism program) and geography fund.

II. General Collection Guidelines:

A. Methods of Acquiring Materials: Books acquired primarily by approval plan from Blackwell North American.
Special orders driven by need or request. Microfilms and video-audio materials
by special order from vendors. Gift materials are accepted on the

D. Geographical Guidelines: Primarily American; some other western countries; some eastern European
former communist countries.

E. Treatment of Subject:
History of sociological development will be collected on a broad basis. Biographies
of sociologists will be collected selectively. Popular works on current
issues will be purchased. Lower and upper division textbooks will generally
not be collected except for exceptional quality. Society publication, such
as journals, will be collected, but newsletters and brochures will be sent
to faculties or libraries at Institute of Behavioral Science.

F.Types of Materials:Sociology collections focus on books and periodicals. Occasionally we
will purchase video recordings upon faculty members' request. Directories,
guides, handbooks and dictionaries are recommended to buy with Reference
Fund. Dissertations generally not purchased.

G. Date of Publication:
Emphasis is on current materials. Other purchasing will be very selective.
Out of print titles are ordered only if there is special justification.

H. Other General Considerations:
In general, the sociology collection is housed in the stacks of Norlin Library.
Deviant behavior related books are located in the Science Library. Older,
less used materials are usually housed in off-site storage. Audio/video
materials are housed in the Media Library. Current journals are located
in Periodical Room. Society publication, such as newsletters and brochures
will be in libraries at Institute of Behavioral Science.